Self-contained clothes hamper

ABSTRACT

A clothes hamper assembly consisting of an outer case ( 60 ), an inner basket ( 70 ), a lid ( 80 ), and a divider ( 90 ). Inner basket ( 70 ) is suspended inside outer case ( 60 ) by upper rim ( 38 ). Lid ( 80 ) is pivotally attached to outer case ( 60 ) and covers the top of the hamper assembly when in the closed position. Ventilation holes ( 40 ) throughout inner basket ( 70 ) allow for air to circulate within the hamper assembly. Outer case ( 60 ) and lid ( 80 ) prevent odors from escaping into the surrounding air. Divider ( 90 ) is used to divide the inner basket as the owner sees fit. The use of an air-freshening device along with a moisture-absorbing product inside the hamper assembly further reduces the odor buildup inside the hamper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention generally relates to a clothes hamper assembly, and more specifically to a hamper designed for the collection of soiled or wet athletic clothing.

2. Prior Art

Clothes hampers are generally known in the art, being intended for the collection and storage of soiled laundry. Typically hampers are either a single compartment design in which all of the clothing is stored together, or the hamper is divided into multiple compartments to allow for clothing to be separated as the owner sees fit. Another common aspect of hamper design is the ventilation of odors from within the hamper to the outside air. However, regardless of the number of compartments or the presence of ventilation holes, the buildup of odors from within clothes hampers has continued to be a problem, especially with the addition of wet or sweat-soaked athletic clothing.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,715 to Capelli (1976) discloses a partitioned ventilated hamper for the separation of dry and damp articles of clothing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,416 to Smillie (2000) incorporates ventilation holes in the inner compartments and outer walls of the hamper and provides for air freshening means for assisting in the elimination of odors. While these and other ventilated designs are an improvement over no ventilation at all, they merely allow the excess odor from within the hamper to permeate the surrounding air in the room where the hamper is located. With the addition of wet or sweat-soaked clothing, increased levels of bacteria, mold, mildew, and their odors can reach such high levels within the hamper, that normal laundry or fine washables sharing the hamper can be ruined. In addition, the ventilation of these odors can quickly foul the air of the room in which the hamper is stored.

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of this invention are:

-   -   (a) to provide a clothes hamper specifically designed for the         storage of wet or sweat-soaked athletic clothing;     -   (b) to eliminate odors from being ventilated into the         surrounding air outside the hamper without the buildup of odors         inside the hamper;     -   (c) to reduce humidity within the hamper;     -   (d) to provide a clothes hamper to store wet or sweat-soaked         athletic clothing apart from other laundry;     -   (e) to divide up the interior compartment of the hamper as the         owner sees fit;     -   (f) to provide for an air-freshening device.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

These objects are obtained in a clothes hamper assembly that includes a removable, ventilated laundry basket suspended inside an unventilated outer case, which is covered by a lid on the top. A container of calcium chloride or other moisture-absorbing product placed at the bottom of the outer case reduces moisture in the air within the outer case. An air-freshening device is placed in a receptacle located on the underside of the lid helps to control odors within the outer case. Wet or sweat-soaked clothing can be stored inside the ventilated laundry basket without worry of bacteria, mold, mildew, or odors building to unacceptable levels within the hamper. This reduces the need for frequent, small wash loads, which in turn conserves resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outer case.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner basket.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the lid.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the entire hamper assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the divider.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of the container anchor.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Outer case floor 12 Container anchor 14 Outer case front 16 Outer case back 18 Outer case left side 20 Outer case right side 22 Left side handle 24 Right side handle 26 Lid receptacle 28 Inner basket floor 30 Inner basket front 32 Inner basket back 34 Inner basket left side 36 Inner basket right side 37 Divider tabs 38 Upper rim 39 Divider ventilation holes 40 Ventilation holes 42 Lid top 44 Left skirt 46 Right skirt 48 Front skirt 50 Lid handle 52 Lid left pivot point knob 54 Lid right pivot point knob 56 Deodorizer compartment 58 Deodorizer compartment opening 59 Small ventilation holes 60 Outer case 70 Inner basket 80 Lid 90 Divider

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The hamper assembly of the present invention is generally comprised of outer case 60, inner basket 70, lid 80, and divider 90. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hamper fully assembled with the lid in the closed position.

The outer case 60 (FIG. 1) is a one piece design, generally in the shape of a rectangular box, open at the top and supported by outer case floor 10, shown in FIG. 7. The outer case floor 10 joins the bottom of outer case front 14, the bottom of outer case back 16, the bottom of outer case left side 18, and the bottom of outer case right side 20, forming the outer case which is open at the top. Located on top of the outer case back 16 is lid receptacle 26. Toward the top half of the outer case left side 18 is left side handle 22. Toward the top half of the outer case right side 20 is right side handle 24. On the top and center of the outer case floor 10 is container anchor 12, shown in FIG. 7. The outer case 60 is constructed of plastic and may also be infused or treated with an anti-bacterial or anti-microbial agent that will help to minimize or prevent odor within the outer case.

Located at the top edge of the outer case back 16 is lid receptacle 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Lid receptacle 26 is a plastic tube-shaped piece molded to the top edge of outer case back 16. Each end is open and deep enough to receive left or right pivot point knobs 52. This allows the lid to be securely fastened to the outer case and to open and close over the top of the outer case. The lid receptacle location allows for the inner basket to be removed while the lid 80 is in the open position. The lid 80 is a one piece design and shaped generally rectangular which allows it to cover the opening of the outer case 60 and inner basket 70 while in a closed position. The lid 80 is constructed of plastic and may also be infused or treated with an anti-bacterial or anti-microbial agent that will help to minimize or prevent odor within the outer case.

Located at the left and right rear corners of lid top 42 are pivot point knobs 52 and 54. (FIG. 4) Each knob is of a shape and size which will fit into its respective end of the lid receptacle. This design allows for the lid to open and close and to not obstruct the removal of the inner basket while the lid is in the open position.

Lid handle 50 is located at the center edge of front skirt 48. The design allows for simple operation of the lid while still allowing the front skirt and side skirts 44 and 46 to prevent odors from escaping the hamper.

Located in the center and on the underside of the lid top is deodorizer compartment 56. The deodorizer compartment 56 is a small box that is used to hold an air-freshening device (deodorizer) (not shown) of the owners choosing. All sides of the deodorizer compartment feature small ventilation holes 59 to allow for dispersal of the air freshener, which helps to fight odors within the hamper. On the front upper center portion of the deodorizer compartment is deodorizer compartment opening 58. The opening allows for an air-freshening device to be inserted or removed from the deodorizer compartment. The location of the opening also allows for the lid to be placed in the open or closed position without causing the air-freshening device to fall out of the compartment.

Located at the bottom of the outer case 60 is container anchor-12 (FIG. 7). The purpose of the container anchor 12 is to hold steady a container of calcium chloride (not shown) or other moisture-absorbing product that reduces moisture from the air inside the hamper. The container anchor-12 is fixed to outer case floor 10, and is generally the same shape and diameter of the moisture-absorbing product's container. This allows the product container to sit securely in the container anchor-12, which in turn minimizes product spillage if the hamper is moved.

The outer case 60 has two recessed handles, 22 and 24, which are used to aid with moving the hamper. Each handle 22, 24 is molded into its respective side of the outer case 60.

The lid 80 has a top 42, a left skirt 44, a right skirt 46, and a front skirt 48. Located at the front center edge of the front skirt is lid handle 50.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of inner basket 70. The inner basket 70 consists of a floor 28 which joins the bottom of inner basket front 30, the bottom of inner basket back 32, the bottom of inner basket left side 34, and the bottom of inner basket right side 36, forming the inner basket which is open at the top. Located on top of both inner basket sides 34, 36 and the inner basket front is upper rim 38. Throughout all inner basket surfaces are multiple ventilation holes 40. (Not all ventilation holes are illustrated.)

The inner basket 70 is a one piece design, generally in the shape of a rectangular box, open at the top. It should be of a shape and size that will allow it to fit inside the outer case 60, leaving enough room for air to circulate between the inner basket 70 and the outer case 60. The inner basket 70 is typically constructed of plastic and may also be infused or treated with an anti-bacterial or anti-microbial agent that will help to minimize or prevent odor within the outer case 60. Located throughout all inner basket surfaces are ventilation holes 40, which allow air to circulate within the inner basket 70 and the outer case 60. The inner basket 70 attaches to the outer case 60 at upper rim 38. The upper rim 38 is a downwardly curving piece which is molded onto the top of the inner basket sides 34, 36 and the inner basket front. The inner basket 70 is suspended inside the outer case 60 by fitting the upper rim 38 over the top edge of the outer case sides 34, 36 and the outer case front 14.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of divider 90. Located near each corner of the divider 90 is a divider tab 37. The divider 90 is perforated with multiple divider ventilation holes 39. The divider 90 is a one piece design that allows the inner basket 60 to be divided as the owner sees fit. The divider 90 is constructed of plastic and may also be infused or treated with an anti-bacterial or anti-microbial agent, which will help to minimize or prevent odor within the inner basket. The divider 90 should be of a shape and size that closely matches the height and depth of the inner basket 70. Four divider tabs 37, one located near each corner of the divider 70, fit through an adjacent ventilation hole of the inner basket 70 and hold the divider 90 in place. Located throughout the divider are numerous divider ventilation holes 39 which allow air to circulate between the divided sections of the inner basket 60.

Fully assembled, this hamper prevents odors from escaping into the surrounding air while simultaneously reducing the buildup of odors within the hamper. Thus, soiled athletic clothing can be stored for several days without excessive levels of bacteria, mold, mildew, or their odors building within the hamper or escaping into the surrounding air.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as example embodiments of the general teaching of the entire disclosure. Many other variations are possible within the teachings of the invention, all of which are deemed included in the specific embodiments disclosed. For example, outer case 60 may be round, triangular, or any other shape. It may be constructed of wood, metal, cloth, or any other suitable material. The outer case 60 may be constructed without a container anchor-12 or may be used without the addition of any moisture-absorbing product. Handles 22 and 24 may be constructed of any material or formed in any shape. The handles 22, 24 may be attached to the outer case 60 by any means, or be missing altogether. Lid receptacle 26 may be changed to any other hinge-like design which will allow the lid 80 to open and close. Inner basket 70 may be constructed in any shape that will allow it to fit inside the outer case 60. The inner basket 70 may be constructed of wood, metal, cloth, or any other suitable material. Ventilation holes 40 may be of any size, shape or number, or may be omitted entirely. An alternative to upper rim 38 could be the introduction of a ledge inside the outer case 60 that would prevent the inner basket 60 from slipping to the bottom of the outer case 60. The inner basket 70 could also be constructed with legs that would allow it to stand inside the outer case 60. Lid 80 may be of any size or shape that will allow it to close over the outer case 60. It may also be constructed of wood, metal, cloth, or any other suitable material. Pivot point knobs 52 and 54 may be substituted by any other hinge-like design, or may be omitted. The lid may also be designed to simply sit atop the hamper assembly unattached. Deodorizer compartment 56 may be of any shape or size that will fit on the underside of the lid 80, or may even be located on one of the outer case walls or attached to the inner basket 70. The deodorizer compartment design may be changed to allow for an air freshener to be externally attached or may be omitted altogether. Divider 90 may be of any shape or size which will fit into the inner basket 70. The divider 90 may be constructed of wood, metal, cloth, or any other suitable material, or may be omitted entirely. Divider ventilation holes 39 may be of any size, shape or number, or may be omitted entirely. 

1. A clothes hamper comprising: an outer case without holes therethrough including front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend upward from an outer case floor, and a top portion having an opening formed therethrough; an inner basket within the outer case having holes therethrough sized to leave space for air to circulate between the inner basket and the outer case; a lid without holes therethrough opening and closing the top portion; an absorbent container within the outer case adapted to receive a moisture absorbing material therein. 2-7. (canceled)
 8. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the inner basket is rigid.
 9. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the inner basket is within the outer case closed by the lid.
 10. The clothes hamper of claim 8 wherein the inner basket includes front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend upward from an inner basket floor, forming the inner basket that is open at its top.
 11. The clothes hamper of claim 10 wherein the inner basket is supported within the outer case such that the inner basket floor is vertically spaced apart from the outer case floor.
 12. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the absorbent container is on the outer case floor below the inner basket.
 13. The clothes hamper of claim 1 wherein the absorbent container is open, adapted such that air within the outer case and the inner basket can pass into the absorbent container.
 14. The clothes hamper of claim 1 further comprising a deodorizer compartment within the outer case adapted to receive a deodorizer.
 15. The clothes hamper of claim 14 wherein the deodorizer compartment has a plurality of holes for dispersal of the deodorizer.
 16. The clothes hamper of claim 14 wherein said deodorizer compartment includes an opening in a side of the deodorizer compartment adapted to receive said deodorizer.
 17. The clothes hamper of claim 14 wherein the deodorizer container is attached to the underside of the lid.
 18. The clothes hamper of claim 17 wherein the deodorizer compartment has a plurality of holes for dispersal of the deodorizer and is adapted to receive said deodorizer.
 19. The clothes hamper of claim 1 further comprising a vertical divider dividing the inner basket into side by side inner basket sections.
 20. A clothes hamper comprising: a rigid outer case without holes therethrough including front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend upward from an outer case floor, and a top portion having an opening formed therethrough; a rigid inner basket within the outer case having holes therethrough sized to leave space for air to circulate between the inner basket and the outer case, wherein the inner basket includes front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend upward from an inner basket floor, forming the inner basket that is open at its top and wherein the inner basket is supported within the outer case such that the inner basket floor is vertically spaced apart from the outer case floor; a lid without holes therethrough opening and closing the top portion; an absorbent container within the outer case on the outer case floor below the inner basket and adapted to receive a moisture absorbing material therein wherein the absorbent container is open, adapted such that air within the outer case and the inner basket can pass into the absorbent container.
 21. The clothes hamper of claim 20 further comprising a vertical divider dividing the inner basket into side by side inner basket sections.
 22. The clothes hamper of claim 20 further comprising a deodorizer compartment within the outer case adapted to receive a deodorizer.
 23. The clothes hamper of claim 22 wherein the deodorizer compartment has a plurality of holes for dispersal of the deodorizer.
 24. The clothes hamper of claim 22 wherein said deodorizer compartment includes an opening in a side of the deodorizer compartment sized and adapted to receive said deodorizer.
 25. The clothes hamper of claim 22 wherein the deodorizer container is attached to the underside of the lid.
 26. A clothes hamper comprising: a rigid outer case without holes therethrough including front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend upward from an outer case floor, and a top portion having an opening formed therethrough; a rigid inner basket within the outer case having holes therethrough sized to leave space for air to circulate between the inner basket and the outer case, wherein the inner basket includes front and rear walls spaced apart by opposed side walls, all of which extend upward from an inner basket floor, forming the inner basket that is open at its top and wherein the inner basket is supported within the outer case such that the inner basket bottom is vertically spaced apart from the outer case bottom; a lid without holes therethrough opening and closing the top portion; an absorbent container within the outer case on the outer case floor below the inner basket and adapted to receive a moisture absorbing material therein wherein the absorbent container is open, adapted such that air within the outer case and the inner basket can pass into the absorbent container, a vertical divider dividing the inner basket into side by side inner basket sections, a deodorizer compartment attached to the underside of the lid and adapted to receive a deodorizer, herein the deodorizer compartment has a plurality of holes for dispersal of the deodorizer. 